SAN DIEGO — Local talent Dom Nankil shined in his Torero Stadium debut on Saturday afternoon but San Diego football (0-2, 0-0 PFL) dropped a tough 28-21 decision to Colorado Mesa (1-1, 0-0 RMAC) in overtime, falling to the Mavericks in its 2023 home opener.

Tied 21-21 with just thirteen seconds remaining in the second half, Colorado Mesa nearly ended the game in regulation when it took a last-second shot at the end zone, but Zamir Wallace came up with a clutch interception (and ensuing touchback), sending the contest to overtime.

The Mavericks got the ball first in the extra period and scored immediately to take a 28-21 lead that the Toreros could not overcome when they received possession minutes later.

All of USD's scoring came via touchdown passes from Nankil.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Both teams were scoreless through the first quarter, but Colorado Mesa quickly established a 14-0 lead in the second period on a pair of touchdown passes.
• Nankil (Mater Dei High School) responded with a touchdown pass of his own, finding Elijah Johnson in the end zone on a 17-yard strike with 9:31 remaining in the quarter to make it 14-7.
• The Chula Vista, California native came up big again as time expired in the first half, tying the score at 14 with a seven-yard pass to Isaiah Williams that saw him weave in and out of traffic after the clock hit zeros.
• An 84-yard touchdown pass with 3:21 remaining in the third quarter put the Mavericks ahead 21-14 but Nankil was able to answer once more with yet another game-tying touchdown, this time to Josh Heverly for 22 yards with just 1:07 left in regulation.
• Colorado Mesa took over on their own 21 yard line with 1:03 remaining, and marched nearly all the way down the field before a last-chance shot at the end zone and a big-time interception sent Saturday's game to overtime.
• Staring down second and two on the USD 29 yard line, CMU quarterback targeted wide receiver Keenan Brown in the left front area of the end zone but underthrew the ball, allowing Wallace to reach underneath the leap of Brown and secure the only interception of the game, turning a potentially game-clinching score into a pivotal turnover (and touchback).
• The Mavericks scored on the first play of overtime, taking a 28-21 lead on a 25-yard touchdown completion that included two penalties against USD that Colorado Mesa declined.
• San Diego could not gain ground in their ensuing possession, dropping their home opener to the Mavericks by a score of 28-21 after Nankil's last-chance heave to Heverly on 4th and 12 at the CMU 27 yard line fell short.

TORERO TIDBITS

• Nankil completed 16 of 35 passes in his second college game, totaling 165 yards and three touchdowns without throwing an interception.
• Isaiah Williams led USD with 168 all-purpose yards, including a seven-yard touchdown reception.
• Ja'seem Reed was next with 80 total yards — 15 of which came on the ground.
• Jayden Wicker headlined the USD defense with five solo tackles and a team-high two sacks.
• Three of his tackles came for a losses, totaling 15 yards.
• Jake Higgins and Alijah Brown were just behind with four total tackles apiece.
• USD missed its lone field goal attempt of the afternoon, which came from Garrett Carney from 23 yards out with 1:42 remaining in the second half.  

UP NEXT
The Toreros will remain at home next week to conclude non-conference play against Princeton. Kickoff at Torero Stadium on Saturday is set for 1 p.m.